Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-22

On one hard and WrInkIed finger he
wore ring that was now but slender
hoop of gold. Once-years and years
ago, when his wife placed it there-it
was broad, heavy band of yellow gold.
As he held his poor old hands against
his face it cut into his cheek, the edge
of it had grown so sharp. He started up
with a sudden thought Why hadn't he
thought of the ring before? Tt would
surely buy a loaf of bread He would
go out and sell it as soon as morning
came. But the resolution gave his heart
a wrench, for it was the last thing left
of Mary Mary who had been dead
SO many years. 1t seemed the link that
bound them together. ''But she'll know:
she won't blame me-" he said and
waited for the dawn.
1t came at last. He got up and went
to the window, and saw new white
world. The snow had fallen in the
night and hidden away all unsightliness.
As he stood there the bells began to ring,
reminding him that this was Christmas
morning.
The voices of the bells stole in upon
Joe's slumber and awoke him. He rose
up In bed and looked at his grandfather
wonderfully, as if to ask what the bells
rang so early for.
Because it's Christmas" the old man
answered in reply to the unspoken ques-
ton of the boy. 'EYou don't know what
Christmas means, do you? Well, years
ago Christ was born, and this is his
birthday. They ring the bells because
the worlds glad"
Christ" Joe said, wonderingly, ques-
tioningly.
Goods son" the old man explained.
"Where is he?" asked Joe.
"Dead-and gone to Heaven" was the
reply.
80, to the green fields." said Joe. ct
wish could. [ dreamed of them last
night, and / heard the angels. [ heard
them yesterday, too. They We're close
by. Do you s'pose they were in the
green fields when I heard them sing.
grandfather
Il don't know" the old man answered,
not at all surprised at Joe's question.
He was used to such talk from him.
Because If they We're it can't be very
far to the green fields said Joe, 'sfor I
could hear them sing just as plain. o
dear!" suddenly, I'm so hungry"
You shall have something to eat,''
the old man said. ''Ill go after it now.
I won't be gone long" And then he
went out.
Joe lald his head back on the poor pill
low and thought while he waited. This
was Christmas, then: the new day; the
day when the world was glad. Then
the world must have enough to eat, for
how could it be glad when it was hun
CRY?
Suddenly he heard voice, a strong,
sweet voice that seemed just outside the
window, and it was singing something
about Christmas. 1t was the sweetest
sound Joe had ever heard. 1t seemed to
be calling him.
Its one of the angels, he cried in de-
light. so, amt it beautiful | don't
feel hungry now. | don't believe ever
would if could hear the angels
Joe could not know that it was wo-
man singing in the church near by, re-
hearsing her song for the morning SER
vice, held in honor of the King, born in
a manager. She could not know that
away up in the attic of that old tene-
ment-house boy lay listening and
thinking he heard an angel. If she had
known this I wonder if her song would
have been sweeter?
THE angels glad, said Joe 81 know
it by the way it sings. It's because of
the green fields / wonder if I could
find EN-? They must be close by. If I
could get there I'd never be hungry any
more. / wonder if I coulQ?@